The Dragon's Head Blog: More lockdown discoveries…

I took part in the danyu challenge and did over 2,500. I really enjoyed doing it and all my aches and pains vanished.

One night just after I had completed the challenge I tripped over my big labrador dog and fell flat on my face. I am 65. I lay a minute waiting to see where the pain would be. I got up very gingerly and felt just a wee twinge in my back. Hmm, I thought, wait until I get up in the morning I bet I will be really sore.

Up the next day….no bruises and no pain!!?? Ah… it will maybe take another day for the bruising and pain to kick in.

Up the next day….nothing!!! In fact I got no sympathy from anyone as they didnt believe I could fall and not break a bone or at least have a bruise.

So….this has to be down to the challenge!!! I am still in awe of this. I should have been really sore!!! Love my Tai Chi  and can’t wait to get back to class. Audrey

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The more foundations I do, the more my mind switches off – Evelyn

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Meant to send something earlier, but was waiting for some kind of Eureka Moment, and this morning it happened in the strangest way. I had been spending a lot of time on Wave Hands, so it is probably why that was where it happened first. Thinking about turning, and pinheads, and no longer focussing on the move as such, I could feel a thin spiral rising right up my body like the smoke from an incense stick – even better, in that this feeling remained even in an unlikely move like Needle at Sea Bottom! I only hope I can capture this feeling again. Jo

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After over 20 years of attending classes (including mostly as an instructor), this pandemic has really meant that I have had to take so much more responsibility for my own practice, just like everybody else during this time. I have been inspired and helped in this so much of what others have shared.

Through listening on video calls, 3-4 times a week, to members of our local classes I have been inspired by their achievement. Life did not change much for me during the lock down, except not being able to go to classes. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have such talented and open members who have given me a new very wide view of what is possible to achieve in the Taoist Tai Chi^® practice.

With my own practice, I have recently had in my mind opening my heart, both physically through movement, which lets my shoulders drop, and mentally to the world around me, which (particularly when I practice the set in the open) gives me a wonderful connection with nature.

Now my hope is that our members who have been sharing so much of their development through the zoom calls, when it is possible to return, wish to continue training to become instructors and start teaching and sharing with new members. Sonya

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During lockdown here in the UK, I’ve been trying to explore the feeling and sense of the different patterns within the form, whether it’s the foundation exercises or the set, the chanting or standing mediation.  Listening to the stories and anecdotes of those sharing their experiences on the Saturday Zoom calls has added another dimension to the journey of individual practice during this time. Crispin

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Working in a school means my days are ‘jam packed.’

March 23rd. Lockdown. The territory was unfamiliar, no school bells or Taoist Tai Chi^® classes. Time seemed to expand, and it was to be filled! Those frustrating household chores left for a rainy day were sorted; zooming, virtual catch ups and meetings, work commitments, gardening, craft, cooking, were all done. Lockdown was exhausting! Phew, I needed Tai Chi more than ever.

It was Foundation exercises in the kitchen. Tai Chi sets were done in the garden, where I was regularly distracted by the nesting blackbirds or visiting robins, whose tails I do not try to grab, and by vibrant green spring buds, butterflies, bees, blossom and flowers. Perhaps that was nature and Tai Chi telling me to slow down, to just ‘be’ rather than be busy.  I listened. Consequently, the moments of ‘stillness’ in the set, when I was and am fully immersed in meditative movement, expanded. Those moments  have a lasting impact, and are the stimulus to continue.

Wishing you all stillness and joy in Tai Chi. Sally